aubiefifty 16,755 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 al.com Auburn will need to find Nickel, Dime in spring practice Updated 6:01 AM; Posted 6:00 AM 3-4 minutes We're taking a look at each position group as Auburn prepares to open spring practice on March 1. The ninth of a nine-part series looks at the defensive backs. Auburn has to replace several key starters in the secondary for the second straight season. The Tigers won't feel a huge drop at corner in replacing Carlton Davis as Javaris Davis and Jamel Dean return, but depth at Nickel and Dime will be one area to be determined this offseason. Projected depth chart: Field corner: Javaris Davis, redshirt-junior, 29 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 interceptions and 6 PBUs Christian Tutt, freshman Jayvaughn Myers, redshirt-sophomore Nickel: Jordyn Peters, sophomore, 24 tackles, 1.5 TFLs including 1 sack, 2 PBUs Jeremiah Dinson, redshirt-junior, 47 tackles, 2.5 TFLs including 1 sack, 4 PBUs and 1 fumble recovery OR Daniel Thomas, junior, 35 tackles, an interception and 3 PBUs Field safety: Jeremiah Dinson, redshirt-junior, 47 tackles, 2.5 TFLs including 1 sack, 4 PBUs and 1 fumble recovery Traivon Leonard, sophomore, 5 tackles, 1 pass breakup Jamien Sherwood, freshman Boundary safety: Daniel Thomas, junior, 35 tackles, an interception and 3 PBUs Traivon Leonard, sophomore, 5 tackles, 1 PBU Quindarious Monday, freshman Josh Marsh, freshman Dime: Jordyn Peters, sophomore, 24 tackles, 1.5 TFLs including 1 sack, 2 PBUs OR Traivon Leonard, sophomore, 5 tackles, 1 pass breakup Jeremiah Dinson, redshirt-junior, 47 tackles, 2.5 TFLs including 1 sack, 4 PBUs and 1 fumble recovery OR Daniel Thomas, junior, 35 tackles, an interception and 3 PBUs Boundary corner: Jamel Dean, redshirt-junior, 43 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 8 PBUs John Broussard Jr., junior, 6 tackles Malcolm Askew, redshirt-freshman Departed: Carlton Davis, 36 tackles, an interception, 11 PBUs; Tray Matthews, 59 tackles, 2 TFLs including 1 sack, an interception, 2 PBUs and fumble recovery; Stephen Roberts, 50 tackles, 6 TFLs, 7 PBUs; Nick Ruffin, 27 tackles, an interception, PBU, fumble recovery and blocked punt; Jason Smith, 3 tackles Due to arrive in the fall: Roger McCreary, Kolbi Fuqua Outlook: Javaris Davis and Jamel Dean will start at corner and Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas should be the starting safeties. After that, things get slightly less clear. Jordyn Peters really took off at the end of last season and appears to be in line for the Nickel position and could play Dime as well. Those packages are where things are less clear entering spring and where defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has some decisions to make. If freshmen Jamien Sherwood and Quindarious Monday do well enough in the spring, it could provide the flexibility to move Dinson or Thomas to Nickel or Dime in the fall. Traivon Leonard is also in the conversation at several spots, most likely an interior corner or safety. Depth at outside corner is a bit of a concern as John Broussard Jr. and Jayvaughn Myers have limited experience. With Malcolm Askew coming off a redshirt season and Christian Tutt joining the mix, the competition on the outside could be rather deep this spring. James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Anyone see Marsh possibly playing some nickel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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